An Atlantic County prosecutor who has been a trailblazer in human-trafficking cases was honored recently as a 2020 Advocacy Champion by the state Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
“Chief Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Buckley is recognized throughout the country as an expert on human trafficking,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner, in announcing the award.
“She has worked with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to prosecute some of the most notorious criminals in our area,” he said. “Just as important, she has been a leader in helping victims of human trafficking to reclaim their lives by expunging their criminal records and helping to get them treatment and rehabilitation.”
In 2015, Buckley worked to obtain the first two prostitution expungements in the state. It was done under a statute recognizing that those charged with prostitution often are victims themselves.
Buckley, who is currently assigned to the Grand Jury Unit, has been the human-trafficking liaison between the Prosecutor’s Office and state Division of Criminal Justice since 2005, when the statute was originally passed.
“While I am grateful and humbled by this award, the true credit goes to the survivors of this horrific crime – they are modern-day warriors whose strength, courage and resiliency inspire me to advocate on their behalf,” Buckley said. “As long as I remain in a position to do so, I will continue to ensure that these survivors are treated with dignity and respect and that the individuals who abuse them are held accountable for their actions.”
She was the first prosecutor to charge someone with human trafficking in Atlantic County in 2009. In 2015, she secured the county's first conviction on that charge.
Buckley was honored in 2017 by the then-Atlantic County Women’s Center with their Golden Sun Award for her work in fighting human trafficking.
She previously was assigned to the Investigations Section, where she tried a variety of cases including sexual assaults, child abuse and promoting prostitution.
In 2008, she was the first prosecutor in the state to qualify an expert in the area of promoting prostitution.
“I am proud that Atlantic County benefits from her advocacy and expertise on a daily basis,” Tyner said.
